Hurricanes defeat Red Bombers to gain share of first place

The Holland College Hurricanes football team won its third consecutive road game Saturday by defeating the UNB-Fredericton Red Bombers 30-21.

‘Canes quarterback Brady Crowe threw for more than 250 yards, with two touchdowns and he ran for another.

Tyler Majuary had 135 yards receiving, two touchdowns and a two-point conversion while running back Andre Goulbourne ran for 60 yards and the defence had four interceptions and recovered a fumble.

“There were six or seven big plays we gave up, some for scores,” said head coach Ross Young.

“The defence bent, but didn’t break. We made some adjustments at the half that were vital, so we could get our offence on the field more.”

The victory avenged Holland College’s season-opening loss to the Bombers.

The ‘Canes improved to 3-1, putting them in a tie with the Bombers for the Atlantic Football League lead and giving them a shot at home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.

On a warm fall day the Bombers started the first quarter by recovering an on-side kick and scoring a touchdown soon after. On the next Bombers’ possession, their punt was blocked and recovered by Adam Shambemiradam, putting the ‘Canes on UNB’s 20-yard line. Crowe ran the ball into the end zone, tying the game with a little over eight minutes left in the quarter.

After Joshua Feaster made a tackle, forcing a Bomber turnover on downs, Crowe connected with Majuary for a 75-yard touchdown, putting the ‘Canes up 14-7 at the end of the first quarter.

Crowe connected with Majuary for another touchdown in the final minute of the first half to give the Hurricanes a 21-14 lead at the half.

“I really wanted to come out and perform, because the last game I didn’t,” said Majuary. “There was something about today (Saturday). I knew it was going to be a good day.”

The Bombers tied the score 21-21 in the third quarter, but the ‘Canes defence held on a third-down play to force a turnover with three minutes to play in the quarter.

Shambemiradam made an interception inside his team’s 10-yard line in the fourth.

The turning point came when Brennan Davis’s 34-yard fieldgoal attempt went through the end zone for a rouge, putting the ‘Canes up 22-21.

Then the defence stepped up. Torriano Curtis came up with an interception, putting the ‘Canes on the Bombers 10-yard line with a minute left in the game.

Davis kicked a field goal, but the Bombers were flagged for running into the kicker, setting the ‘Canes up on the one-yard line.

Goulbourne ran it in for the touchdown. The ‘Canes added a two-point conversion from Cole Brydges to a wide-open Majuary sealing the victory.

Young said being on the road for three straight games was a significant challenge for the team to overcome.

“It’s a true test for a young team to show its got character and the will to win.”

Dennis Brown and Colin Trewin had interceptions for Holland College while Soloman Sarfo-Boateng recovered a fumble.